Just a Minute

Find a clock or watch with a second hand.  Now watch it for an entire minute.  Wait, wait, wait while that second hand makes it all the way around back to where it started.  That was painful wasn't it?  The next time you tell someone "wait a minute", remember how painful that minute watching the clock was. 

A minute may seem like a reasonable request, unless you're the one waiting.  Then a minute seems like an eternity. What are you doing that is so important?  Are you really engaged in something you can't break away from?  If what you are doing is so important is a minute really enough, and if you do break away in a minute are you committed to giving someone your full attention or are you still distracted by what you were previously doing?

The next time you're about to ask for a minute (an eternity) instead decide if you can give the person your full attention now or if you need them to return at a different time when you can be 100% engaged in what they want to discuss.  Both parties will feel much better about the interaction when you are both fully engaged.

"Time is free, but it's priceless. You can't
own it, but you can use it. You can't keep
it, but you can spend it. Once you've lost it
you can never get it back.”

-Harvey MacKay